Safeguarding Requirements for Referees

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The recommendations relating to DBS checks for match officials, which were approved for implementation by the FA Referees’ Committee (RefCo), are as follows:

a. Referees (aged 16+) who opt to referee youth football at the point of registration must have a valid CRC, or be working towards having one (i.e. it has been paid for, verified and submitted to the DBS), at all times, rather than just at the point of registration.

b. Observers, mentors or coaches operating below Supply League level must have a valid CRC, or be working towards having one (i.e. it has been paid for, verified and submitted to the DBS), at all times, rather than just at the point of registration.

Going forwards, referees who register to officiate in the youth game and observers, coaches and mentors operating below Supply League level will be required to keep their safeguarding training in date (i.e. less than three years old at the point of registration).

This requirement will be implemented at the point of registration for the season 2020-2021.

The timeline below should support CFAs to plan, communicate and implement the training required.